Carrie Underwood | |
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.png) Underwood in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Carrie Marie Underwood (1983-03-10)March 10, 1983 (age 42) Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Works | |
| Years active | 2005–present |
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Spouse | |
| Website | carrieunderwoodofficial |
Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983)[2] is an Americancountry singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence after winning thefourth season ofAmerican Idol in 2005, returning as a judge beginning with thetwenty-third season in 2025. Underwood's first single, "Inside Your Heaven" (2005), made her the first-ever country artist to debut atop theBillboard Hot 100 chart and the only solo country artist to top the Hot 100 in the 2000s. Bolstered by further crossover singles "Jesus, Take the Wheel" anddiamond-certified "Before He Cheats", Underwood's debut studio album,Some Hearts (2005), became the best-selling debut album of all time by a solo female country artist, was ranked byBillboard as the top country album of the 2000s, and won her threeGrammy Awards, includingBest New Artist. She followed it withCarnival Ride (2007), which soldover half a million copies first-week and won two Grammy Awards. Her third studio album,Play On (2009), made her the only woman in history to have eleven consecutive top-two singles and the first since the 1980s to accumulate ten number-ones at UScountry radio.
Underwood achieved the second-best selling female release of 2012 and won a Grammy Award with her fourth album,Blown Away (2012). Her compilation album,Greatest Hits: Decade #1 (2014), broke multiple chart and sales records, while spawning the Grammy-winningcrossover single "Something in the Water". Her fifth studio album,Storyteller (2015), made her the only country artist in history to have all of their first five studio albums reach either number one or two on theBillboard 200 chart. With her sixth album,Cry Pretty (2018), she became the only woman in history to top theBillboard 200 with four country studio albums and had the largest female album debut of 2018. In the 2020s, she has released her firstChristmas album,My Gift (2020); won theGrammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album with her firstgospel album,My Savior (2021); and reinforced her country pop image withDenim & Rhinestones (2022).
With a total of over 95 million certifiedunits sold in the US alone—inclusive of albums and songs, Underwood isthe highest-certified female country artist of all time and one of thebest-selling music artists in history. She is alsothe female artist with the most number-one singles (16) on the USCountry Airplay chart.Billboard ranked her as the top female country artist of the 2000s and 2010s, whilePollstar ranked her among the 15highest-grossing female touring artists of the last four decades.Her accolades include eight Grammy Awards, the mostBillboard Music Awards (12) andAmerican Music Awards (17) among female country artists, sevenGuinness World Records, as well as inductions into theHollywood Walk of Fame and theGrand Ole Opry.Rolling Stone hailed her as "the female vocalist of her generation in any genre",Time listed her as one of the100 most influential people in the world in 2014 andForbes declared her the most successfulAmerican Idol winner.
Outside of music, Underwood has ventured into fashion and writing. She released her fitness clothing line Calia by Carrie in 2015 andThe New York Times best-selling lifestyle bookFind Your Path in 2020.
Carrie Marie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983,[3][4] inMuskogee, Oklahoma, to Carole (née Shatswell) and Steve Underwood.[5] She has two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie,[6] and was raised on her parents' farm in the nearby rural town ofChecotah.[7] Her father worked in apaper mill while her mother taught elementary school.[8] During her childhood, Underwood performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show, and sang at her local church, FirstFree Will Baptist Church.[9] She later sang for local events in Checotah, including Old Settler's Day and theLions Club.[10]
A local admirer arranged for her to go toNashville when she was 14 to audition forCapitol Records.[11] In 1997, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for Underwood but canceled it when company management changed. Underwood said of the event, "I honestly think it's a lot better that nothing came out of it now, because I wouldn't have been ready then. Everything has a way of working out."[12]
While at Checotah High School, she was an Honor Society member, a cheerleader, and played basketball and softball.[13] Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 assalutatorian.[10] She did not initially pursue singing after graduation and once said "After high school, I pretty much gave up on the dream of singing. I had reached a point in my life where I had to be practical and prepare for my future in the 'real world'".[13]
She attendedNortheastern State University inTahlequah, Oklahoma, graduatingmagna cum laude, in 2006, with a bachelor's degree inmass communication and an emphasis in journalism.[14] She spent part of one of her summers as a page for Oklahoma State RepresentativeBobby Frame.[15] She also waited tables at a pizzeria, worked at a zoo, and worked at a veterinary clinic.[13] Underwood is an alumna of the Alpha Iota chapter ofSigma Sigma Sigma sorority.[16]
For two summers, she performed in Northeastern State University's Downtown Country show in Tahlequah. She competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004.[17]
In mid-2004, Underwood auditioned forAmerican Idol inSt. Louis,Missouri, singingBonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me". After she sang "Could've Been" byTiffany on the top 12 girls night, judgeSimon Cowell commented that she would be one of the favorites to win the competition.[18][19] During the top 11 finalists' performance on the March 22, 2005,Idol episode, Underwood sang a rendition of the number one 1980s rock hit "Alone", made famous byHeart, and Cowell correctly predicted that Underwood would not only win the competition, but she would also outsell all previousIdol winners.[20] One of the show's producers later said she dominated the voting, winning every week by a large margin.[21][22] On May 25, 2005, Underwood became the season four winner. Her winnings included a recording contract worth at least a million dollars, use of a private jet for a year, and aFord Mustang convertible.[23]
Underwood's music career began with the release of her first single, "Inside Your Heaven", on June 14, 2005. The song debuted at number one on theBillboard Hot 100, with Underwood becoming only the third artist to debut in the top slot since chart policy changed in 1998.[24] She also brokeBillboard chart history as the first country music artist ever to debut at number one on the Hot 100 and the song became the first song from a country artist to go to number one on the Hot 100 since country groupLonestar's "Amazed" did so in 2000.[25] "Inside Your Heaven" is the only single by a solo country artist in the decade of 2000–2009 to reach number one on theBillboard Hot 100 chart.[26] It also debuted at number one on theBillboard Pop 100 and on theCanadian Singles Chart, topping it for seven consecutive weeks, becoming the longest-running number one single of 2005 in Canada. It sold nearly one million copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAA and double platinum by the CRIA.[27][28]
Underwood's debut album,Some Hearts, was released on November 15, 2005, entering theBillboard charts with 315,000 copies sold, debuting at number one on theBillboard Top Country Albums and at number two on theBillboard 200.[29] The large first week sales ofSome Hearts made it the biggest debut of any country artist since the advent of theSoundScan system in 1991.[30]Some Hearts became the best-selling album of 2006 in all genres in the United States.[31] The album was also the best-selling country album of both 2006 and 2007, making Underwood the first female artist inBillboard history to earn back-to-back honors for Top Country Album.[32] Additionally, it was the best-selling female country album of 2005, 2006, and 2007.[33]Some Hearts has since become the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of theSoundScan era,[34][35] the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history,[36] the best-selling Country album of the last 14 years,[37] and the best-selling album by anAmerican Idol alumni in the US.[38] The album is certified nine times platinum by the RIAA, the highest album certification of any country artist to emerge since 2000.[39]
The album's second single,[40] "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was released to radio in October and later peaked at number one on theBillboard Hot Country Songs, topping it for six consecutive weeks, and at number twenty on the Hot 100.[41] The song sold over two million copies and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.[42] Underwood's third single, "Some Hearts", was also released in October, but exclusively to pop radio, peaking in the top thirty of the adult contemporary charts. "Don't Forget to Remember Me", her fourth single, also proved successful, reaching number two on the Hot Country Songs chart. Later that autumn, Underwood's third country single,[40] "Before He Cheats", hit number one onBillboard's Hot Country Songs, staying there for five consecutive weeks.[43] The song peaked at number eight on theBillboard Hot 100, achieving the slowest climb ever to the top ten of theBillboard Hot 100, breaking the record that was previously held byCreed from July 2000.[44] In February 2008, when it was certified double Platinum, "Before He Cheats" became the first country song to ever be certified multi-platinum.[45] It has now been certified 11× Platinum, selling more than eleven million copies, and is the fourth best-selling country digital song of all time.[27][46] On April 11, 2007, Underwood continued her streak of top Country singles with the release of "Wasted", which peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, sold more than one million copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.[47] In August 2008, the "Jesus, Take the Wheel" ringtone was reported to have been certified Platinum, making Underwood the first country artist ever to have two songs hit Platinum Mastertone status together with "Before He Cheats", which had been certified earlier in 2007.[48] Underwood started her first headlined tour,Carrie Underwood: Live 2006, with dates acrossNorth America, in April 2006.
At the 2005Billboard Music Awards, her hit song "Inside Your Heaven" won the coveted Top-Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year award and also Top-Selling Country Single of the Year award, and she won Country Single Sales Artist of the Year.[49] At the 2006Academy of Country Music Awards, she won Top New Female Vocalist and Single of the Year, for "Jesus, Take the Wheel".[50] At the2006 Country Music Association Awards, she won both the Horizon Award (now New Artist of the Year) and Female Vocalist of the Year.[51] At the 2006CMT Awards, Underwood won both the Breakthrough Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year for "Jesus, Take The Wheel".[52] She later won the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at theAmerican Music Awards, and was also nominated for Favorite Female Country Artist.[53] She won five awards at the 2006Billboard Music Awards that December, including the coveted Album of the Year, Top 200 Female Artist of the Year, Female Country Artist, New Country Artist, and Country Album of the Year.[54] That year, Underwood also won aGospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award for Country Recorded Song of the Year, for "Jesus, Take The Wheel".[55] At theAcademy of Country Music Awards in 2007, Underwood won Album of the Year, Video of the Year, and Female Vocalist of the Year.[56] She was nominated for "World's Best Selling New Artist" at the 2006World Music Awards. At the 2007 CMT Awards inNashville, Tennessee, on April 16, Underwood's "Before He Cheats" won three awards, including Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, and Video Director of the Year.[57] Underwood won two awards at the2007 Country Music Association Awards: Female Vocalist of the Year, for the second consecutive time, and Single Record of the Year, for "Before He Cheats".[58]
In 2007, at the49th Grammy Awards,Some Hearts received fourGrammy nominations and Underwood won her first two Grammy Awards:Best New Artist andBest Female Country Vocal Performance for "Jesus, Take the Wheel.[59] By winning the Best New Artist Grammy Award, Underwood became only the second country artist to ever win the award in the 56-year history of the Grammy Awards, followingLeAnn Rimes (1997).[60] She sang theEagles song "Life in the Fast Lane" alongside Grammy nomineesRascal Flatts. She also sang the Eagles' "Desperado" to honorDon Henley of The Eagles. She also paid tribute toBob Wills and His Texas Playboys by performing "New San Antonio Rose". At the50th Grammy Awards, in 2008, Underwood was nominated for two more Grammys: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for "Before He Cheats" andBest Country Collaboration with Vocals, for "Oh, Love" a duet withBrad Paisley. She won one Grammy Award that night, for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and performed "Before He Cheats" at the ceremony.[61]
In December 2005, Underwood was named Oklahoman of the Year byOklahoma Today.[62] In December 2006, Underwood joinedTony Bennett,Michael Bublé, andJosh Groban to sing "For Once in My Life" onThe Oprah Winfrey Show.[63] That same month, she paid tribute toDolly Parton, by singing "Islands in the Stream" withKenny Rogers (originally by Parton and Rogers) at theKennedy Center Honors, which honored Parton that year.[64] Underwood performed with theUSO Christmas Tour in Iraq during the 2006 Holiday season.[65] Underwood also performed at the2007 Idol Gives Back concert, singing "I'll Stand By You", a cover ofThe Pretenders hit. Her version of the song debuted at number six onBillboard's Hot 100 Songs.[66]
In 2007,Forbes reported that Underwood earned over $7 million between June 2006 and June 2007.[67] Also in 2007,Victoria's Secret named Underwood the Sexiest Female Musician.[68]
Underwood's second album,Carnival Ride,[69] was released in October 2007.[70] OnCarnival Ride, Underwood was more involved in the songwriting process; she set up a writers' retreat at Nashville'sRyman Auditorium to collaborate with such Music Row tunesmiths asHillary Lindsey,Craig Wiseman,Rivers Rutherford, andGordie Sampson.[71]Carnival Ride moved over 527,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number one on both theBillboard 200 and Top Country Albums, as well as number one on theCanadian Albums Chart, one of the biggest first-week sales by a female artist.[72]Carnival Ride was certified double platinum in just two months after its release in December.[73] The album is now certified four times Platinum by the RIAA.[42] "So Small", the first single from the album, was released in July 2007 and reached number one onBillboard's Hot Country Songs, topping it for three consecutive weeks.[74]
"All-American Girl", the second single, also reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. The next single, "Last Name", reached number one on the Hot Country Song chart as well. This made Underwood the first female artist to have two consecutive albums each release three number ones on this chart sinceShania Twain in 1998. "Just a Dream", the album's next single, was released in July 2008 and later peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, staying there for two consecutive weeks. With that, Underwood became the first solo female artist to pull four number one's from one album since Twain did it withThe Woman in Me.[75] The album's fifth single, "I Told You So", a duet with the original singer of the song,Randy Travis, was released in February 2009. It peaked at number two on the Country charts and number nine on theBillboard Hot 100. All singles fromCarnival Ride were certified Platinum by the RIAA, for selling more than one million copies each.[42] In January 2008, Underwood embarked on a joint tour withKeith Urban called the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour, with dates fixed nationwide that continued through April.[76] She then started her headlined tour, the Carnival Ride Tour, in February 2008, with dates across all North America, and ended it on December 14, 2008, playing to 1.2 million fans throughout the tour and being named the top-selling country female touring artist of 2008.[77]
At the end of 2007, Underwood topped fiveBillboard Year-End charts, includingBillboard 200 Artist of the Year and also Country Artist of the Year.[78] Also in late 2007, she won threeAmerican Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Country Artist, and Favorite Country Album, forSome Hearts.[79] At the 2008Academy of Country Music Awards, she won Female Vocalist of the Year, for the 2nd consecutive time.[80] She received two nominations for the2008 Country Music Association Awards. Underwood andBrad Paisley co-hosted the awards show for their first year as hosts, and she walked away with the Female Vocalist of the Year award for the third consecutive year.[81] At the ceremony, Underwood performed "Just a Dream" and was introduced by Leslie Ponder, the wife of a veteran who had died.[82] At the 2008American Music Awards,Carnival Ride won the Favorite Country Album award, marking her second consecutive win in the category.[83]
In 2008, Underwood won her first international award, which was "Female Vocalist of the Year" at theEuropean Country Music Association Awards.[84] For the 44thAcademy of Country Music Awards, in 2009, Underwood was nominated for four major awards. Underwood won for Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, thus making her the first woman to win the award in ten years and the 7th female to take it in the award show's four-decade run.[85] Underwood was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2009CMT Awards for "Just A Dream". In 2009, at the51st Grammy Awards, she won, for the third year in a row, theGrammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for "Last Name", and performed the song at the ceremony.[86][87] At the52nd Grammy Awards in 2010, Underwood won her fifth Grammy Award: she won theGrammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Told You So" withRandy Travis and was also nominated again for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for "Just A Dream".[88] At the ceremony, she performed withCeline Dion,Usher,Smokey Robinson, andJennifer Hudson during the 3-DMichael Jackson tribute.[89] Grammy Awards producerKen Ehrlich stated that Michael Jackson greatly admired Underwood, which is why she was hand-picked to perform during his tribute.[90]
On March 15, 2008, Underwood was invited byRandy Travis to become amember of theGrand Ole Opry.[91] On May 10, 2008, she was officially inducted byGarth Brooks into the Grand Ole Opry.[92] A few months earlier, she sangJulie Andrews's classic, the title song fromThe Sound of Music, at the 2007Movies Rock: A Celebration Of Music In Film.[93] On October 22, 2008, Underwood unveiled her wax figure atMadame Tussauds New York.[94] In 2008, it was reported byForbes that Underwood earned over $9 million between June 2007 and June 2008, being number 79 on the Top Celebrity 100 list.[95] In 2009,Forbes reported that Underwood was the top earningAmerican Idol alumnus from June 2008 to May 17, 2009. She earned more than twice as much as the second-place finisher, with estimated earnings of $14 million during this time period.[96] She appeared on the holiday CDHear Something Country Christmas 2007 with a rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?". The song reached number two on the AC Chart and remained there for three consecutive weeks.[97] She recorded the song "Ever Ever After" forthe soundtrack of the 2007Walt Disney filmEnchanted. Underwood co-wrote a song forIdol alumKristy Lee Cook's major-label debut albumWhy Wait. At the2008 Idol Gives Back, she sangGeorge Michael's classic "Praying For Time" and later recorded it.[98] In November 2008, Underwood recorded a virtual and posthumous duet withElvis Presley, on his classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas", for his 2008 albumChristmas Duets. Presley's ex-wife,Priscilla Presley, herself asked Underwood to do the duet: "Priscilla wanted me to do 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' ", she says. "I couldn't say 'no'."[99] In March 2009, she tracked a cover ofMötley Crüe's ballad "Home Sweet Home" for theAmerican Idolseason eight farewell theme.[100]
Underwood released her third studio album,Play On, on November 3, 2009.[101] The album debuted atop both theBillboard 200 and Top Country Albums, selling over 318,000 copies in its first week, and became, upon its release, the top-selling release of the year by a female artist, but was later overtaken bySusan Boyle'sI Dreamed a Dream and finished the year as number two.[102][103] Underwood wrote a song with pop/R&B singer-songwriterNe-Yo for the album, the song, however, did not make the final tracklist.[104] The first single from the album, "Cowboy Casanova", co-written by Underwood,Brett James andhip hop producerMike Elizondo, was released in September 2009. It was a huge success, jumping from number 96 to number 11 on theBillboard Hot 100 in its second week, one of thebiggest single-week upwards on the chart of all time.[105] It later peaked at number one on theHot Country Songs chart in just ten weeks, the year's fastest chart-topper by a country female and the fastest number one of her career at that time (her 2014 single "Something in the Water" topped the Hot Country Songs chart in its seventh week).[106] "Cowboy Casanova" has sold over 4 million copies, being certified quadraple Platinum. The album's second single, "Temporary Home"[107] hit number one on theBillboard Hot Country Songs and the RIAA certified it Platinum.[108] "Undo It", Underwood's third single fromPlay On, was released to radio in May. It was later certified double Platinum and hit number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, giving Underwood her tenth number-one single on the Hot Country Songs.[109] The fourth single fromPlay On, "Mama's Song", was released to country radio in September, peaking at number two on the Hot Country Songs and being certified Gold by the RIAA. The album is certified Triple Platinum.[110]
Underwood'sPlay On Tour started its first leg on March 11, 2010, inReading, Pennsylvania.[111] The second leg of the tour started on September 25, 2010, inPortland, Oregon, and ended January 1, 2011, inDetroit.[112] Underwood sold out the prestigiousHollywood Bowl on October 2, 2010.[113] In December 2010,Pollstar.com ranked the Play On Tour one of the Top 50 tours of 2010, at number one on the North American ranking, and number 31 worldwide.Billboard also ranked Underwood's tour at number 24 for all worldwide tours of 2010. On January 4, 2011, official statistics revealed that Underwood played to over 1 million fans throughout the tour,[114] resulting in her being named again as the top-ranked female country touring artist of the year.[115]
At the2009 CMA Awards, she received two nominations and co-hosted the ceremony with Brad Paisley for their second consecutive year.[116] Underwood was nominated for six Academy of Country Music Awards. At the show's ceremony in April 2010, Underwood was named Entertainer of the Year, making her the first woman to win this award twice.[117] HostReba McEntire presented Underwood with the "ACM Triple Crown Award" signifying her winning Top New Artist, Top Female Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year during her career. She was only the second female to win the coveted "Triple Crown Award", the first beingBarbara Mandrell.[118][119] At theCMT Music Awards, Underwood walked away with Video of the Year for "Cowboy Casanova" and also won CMT Performance of the Year for "Temporary Home" fromCMT: Invitation Only presents Carrie Underwood.[120] Underwood won two international awards at the 8th French Country Music Awards, which were Best Female Vocalist and Video of the Year, for "Cowboy Casanova".[121] At the 2010American Music Awards, she won "Favorite Country Album", for "Play On", making her the only artist in the American Music Award history to have all albums awarded in the category.[122] She co-hosted the 2010CMA Awards with Brad Paisley for the third year in a row. At the 2011 Grammy Awards, Underwood was nominated for 'Best Female Country Vocal Performance' for "Temporary Home".[123] Underwood was honored by theCMTArtists of the Year special as one of the 5 top Artists of the year in 2010 in country music.[124] The event aired on CMT on December 3, 2010. At the 2011Academy of Country Music Awards, Underwood sang withSteven Tyler both her song "Undo It" andAerosmith's "Walk This Way".[125]
In May 2011, Underwood was one of the seven women to be honored by theAcademy of Country Music at theGirls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special. She was recognized for being the first and only female artist in the academy's history to ever win Entertainer of the Year twice.[126] At the ceremony,Vince Gill introduced Underwood and presented her with the special award. He sang one of her hits, "Jesus, Take The Wheel", and joined Underwood on a rendition performance of "How Great Thou Art". The video of the performance turned into aviral sensation, reaching 3 million views onYouTube within two days.[127]
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In December 2009,Some Hearts was named the number-one Country Album of the 2000 Decade byBillboard and Underwood was the top-ranked female artist onBillboard's Best Country Artists of the 2000 Decade list.[128][129] Overall, she was ranked number 50 on the Artists of the Decade list byBillboard.[130] Also in late 2009, Underwood had her very ownCMT Invitation Only[131] and also hosted a Christmas special,Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special, a two-hour variety show onFox that featuredDolly Parton (with whom she sang a rendition duet of "I Will Always Love You") season sevenAmerican Idol championDavid Cook,Kristin Chenoweth, Brad Paisley and others.[132] In May 2010, Underwood was selected onPeople magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People List for 2010. This was the 4th year in a row that she was selected for the list.[133] Also in May,Victoria's Secret named her legs the Sexiest Legs in Hollywood.[134] In June 2011,Rolling Stone magazine ranked Underwood as the number 11 Queen of Pop, based on a lot of criteria from 2009 until 2011.[135] Underwood co-wrote and recorded a song titled "There's a Place for Us", the lead single fromThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.[136] Underwood and songwriters, David Hodges and Hillary Lindsey, received a nomination for theGolden Globe Award for Best Original Song.[137] It was during this writing session that the trio also wrote "See You Again" for the movie; however, the song was not included in the film and Underwood kept it and pushed for its inclusion on her fourth album in 2012.[138]In March 2011, Underwood sangJohn Lennon's "Instant Karma!" at theNBC's specialAll Together Now – A Celebration of Service, which honored former presidentGeorge H. W. Bush.[139] At theseason ten finale ofAmerican Idol, Underwood selected a song for contestantLauren Alaina to sing.[140]
Underwood is featured on "Remind Me", a duet with Brad Paisley that reached number one on theBillboard Hot Country Songs, giving Underwood her eleventh number-one single on such chart and fourteenth overall. She has also a duet withTony Bennett on his 2011 albumDuets II[141] and another duet with Randy Travis on his 2011Anniversary Celebration album. Underwood was one of the headliners of theiHeartRadio Music Festival. The event took place on September 23 and 24, 2011.[142]
On September 19, Underwood performed "You Really Got a Hold on Me" in tribute toSmokey Robinson, as he was presented with the Ella Award at theSociety of Singers annual dinner. Robinson returned the favor to Underwood by singing "My Girl" to her. At the same event, they sang together withStevie Wonder,Natalie Cole and other artists a medley of multiple songs.[143] In 2010, Underwood was reported byForbes to have earned over $13 million from May 2009 to May 2010, being the top-earningIdol.[144] In July 2011, Forbes reported that Underwood earned over $20 million between May 2010 and May 2011, being the top-earningAmerican Idol alumnus for the fourth consecutive year.[145] She earned $5 million between 2011 and 2012.[146]
On February 4, 2012, Underwood joinedSteven Tyler to recordCMT'sCrossroads at the Pepsi Coliseum during the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam ofSuper Bowl XLVI.[147] It was the highest-rated episode in seven years.[148] On February 12, 2012, Underwood and Tony Bennett performed their duet "It Had to Be You" at the 54th AnnualGrammy Awards.[149] They also sang the song on the season two premiere ofBlue Bloods in September 2011.[150]
Blown Away,[151] Underwood's fourth album, was released on May 1, 2012.[152] Underwood has said that this album features songs with a "darker storyline".[153] "Blown Away" debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, the Country Albums Chart and the Digital Albums chart in the US, selling more than 267,000 in its first week.[154] The first single, "Good Girl", was released on February 23, 2012. It was officially released to Country radio on February 27, 2012.[155][156] The music video for "Good Girl" premiered onEntertainment Tonight and onVEVO on March 12, 2012.[157] The song peaked at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, giving Underwood her twelfth number-one on the chart,[158] and was certified triple Platinum and has sold over three million copies.[159] The song "Blown Away" was released as the second single from the album on July 9, 2012. It was a massive success, selling over 5 million copies, being certified five-times Platinum, reaching the Top 20 of theBillboard Hot 100, the number-one spot on theBillboard Country Airplay and the Top 2 of theTop Country Songs, where it became Underwood's 16th top ten hit on Hot Country Songs chart, a record among women in the tally's 68-year history.[160] The album was the 7th best-selling album of 2012, the second best-selling country album of the year and the second best-selling release by a female artist in 2012.[161] It has been certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA and sold over 1.7 million copies in the United States alone.[162] Underwood had her very ownVH1 Unplugged (called "VH1 Presents: Carrie Underwood Unplugged") and VH1Behind The Music episodes, which premiered October 2, 2012.[163] For the episode, Underwood included a cover of theColdplay song "Fix You".
"Two Black Cadillacs", the third single from the album, was released on November 26. It became Underwood's 17th top ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, extending her own record, later peaking at number two on Billboard's Country Airplay chart and was certified two-times Platinum.[110][164] In March 2013, "See You Again" was released as the album's fourth single; it has peaked at number 2 on Country Airplay chart and has been certified two-times Platinum by the RIAA.[165][166]
At the 2012CMT Music Awards, Underwood won the awards for Video of the Year, for "Good Girl", and Collaborative Video of the Year, for "Remind Me", her duet with Brad Paisley. She also performed "Good Girl" at the ceremony.[167] At the 2012American Music Awards, she won the award for Favorite Album – Country, forBlown Away, and performed "Two Black Cadillacs". In early 2013, Underwood won the prize for Top Selling International Album of the Year at the 41stCountry Music Awards of Australia.[168][169] Also in February 2013, Underwood won her sixthGrammy Award, forBest Country Solo Performance, for "Blown Away".[170] She performed a medley of "Blown Away" and "Two Black Cadillacs" at the awards show ceremony featuring an LED-powered dress.[171] On February 13, Underwood received two nominations for theAcademy of Country Music Awards.[172] She won International Album of the Year at the 2013 British Country Music Awards.[173] At the 2013CMT Music Awards, Underwood won her 10th award, becoming the most awarded artist ever in CMT Music Awards history. She won Video of the Year for "Blown Away" for the fourth time, which also makes her the artist with the most wins ever in the category.[174][175][176]During the ceremony, she paid tribute to tornado victims in Oklahoma, by performing "See You Again" backed by a choir from Nashville's Christ Church.[177]
The first leg of theBlown Away Tour started at theRoyal Albert Hall inLondon on June 21, 2012,[178] which sold out in 90 minutes,[179] and five shows in Australia, including a sold-out date at theSydney Opera House, on July 2.[159] The first leg of the Blown Away Tour made Underwood the best-selling female country touring artist of 2012, grossing over $29.2 million and bringing her career tour revenues to over $95 million.[180] The tour had its own exhibition at theCountry Music Hall of Fame, called "Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition", which ran from June 5 through November 10, 2013.[181] The second leg of the tour started in February 2013, with shows in Ireland, an additional show in England, as part of theC2C: Country to Country festival,[182] and several shows in North America. All dates of the second leg of the Blown Away Tour were sold out, breaking records.[183] Underwood wrapped the Blown Away Tour in late May 2013, playing to one million fans across three continents and six countries. Her three headline arena tours have played to over 3.2 million fans combined.[184] Underwood releasedThe Blown Away Tour: LIVE, a DVD with nearly 100 minutes of performance footage, behind-the-scene looks, interviews, and music videos from the albumBlown Away. The DVD was released on August 13, 2013, and is Underwood's first official DVD concert.[185]
On February 22, 2013,Billboard ranked Underwood as the 16th money maker for the period from February 2012 to February 2013. She earned close to $12 million, beingAmerican Idol's Top Earner and second for female country artists.[186] In June 2013,Forbes placed Underwood at number 46 on The Celebrity 100 list, reporting that she earned more than $31 million between June 2012 and June 2013, being the top-earningAmerican Idol, and also being one of the ten highest-paid women in music of 2013.[187][188][189]
On January 21, 2013, "Can't Stop Lovin' You", a song byrock bandAerosmith with featured vocals by Underwood, was released as a single.[190][191] On May 25, Underwood joinedthe Rolling Stones onstage during the stop of the band's50 and Counting Tour in Toronto, Canada. They performed "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)".[192][193] On September 22, 2013, at the65th Primetime Emmy Awards, she was part of the Emmy Awards' special tribute honoring the 50th Anniversary of 1963 Television Milestones, which includes the assassination coverage of PresidentJohn F. Kennedy andThe Beatles' first US appearance. She performed one of The Beatles' iconic songs, "Yesterday".[194][195]
Underwood confirmed that she began planning a new album in August 2013 and would start prep work sometime in 2014.[196] Underwood toldBillboard, "AfterThe Sound of Music, I feel like I can really buckle down and start working on the next album." Underwood also stated she has been planning another tour, which might be toned down from her earlier ones, stating, "I haven't thought about it much because I don't know what the next album is going to sound like, but I like just standing there and singing, too. I may take a different approach, a more simple approach on the next one. I loved the energy that rock concerts had", Underwood toldBillboard.[197] Underwood was featured on "Somethin' Bad" fromMiranda Lambert's albumPlatinum.[198] Released as a single, "Somethin' Bad" reached number one on theHot Country Songs chart, becoming Underwood's 13th number-one on the chart. The same week, the song vaulted to number 19 on theBillboard Hot 100.[199]
In early 2014, she performed on theRock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, paying tribute toLinda Ronstadt.[200] Her performances were highly acclaimed by critics and even byStevie Nicks, who performed with Underwood.[201] In September, Underwood headlined the 2014Global Citizen Festival, alongsideJay-Z,No Doubt and other music acts.[202] Her cover ofR.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" during her performance was highly praised.[203][204] She headlined the 2014Concert for Valor in November, alongsideEminem,Metallica,Foo Fighters, and other music acts, where she was backed by the Singing Sergeants of the US Air Force during the performance of "Something in the Water".[205] Underwood was asked byBono himself to frontU2's World AIDS Day (RED) Concert, alongside U2,Bruce Springsteen,Coldplay's Chris Martin, andKanye West, on December 1, 2014. She was joined on stage by U2 guitaristThe Edge during a performance of her song "Change", which received acclaim.[206]
TheAcademy of Country Music awarded Underwood the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, for her widespread exposure throughNFLSunday Night Football, the live NBC broadcast ofThe Sound of Music Live!, her worldwideBlown Away Tour and her charity work with theAmerican Red Cross and her C.A.T.S. Foundation.[207] At the2014 Billboard Music Awards, Underwood won the Milestone Award, for which she had been nominated due to her chart success, especially her record of having the best starting run ever by a woman on the Country Airplay chart (18 top ten hits on the chart).[208][209][210]Time listed Underwood as one of the100 most influential people in the world, placing her in the "Icons" category.[211] She won the award for Favorite Female Country Artist at theAmerican Music Awards, marking her eighth career AMA.[212] She was named 2014's top female Christian artist byBillboard.[213] In 2015 at the57th Grammy Awards, Underwood wonBest Country Solo Performance for "Something in the Water", marking her seventh career Grammy Award.[214][215] At the2015 Billboard Music Awards, she won the award for Top Christian Song for "Something in the Water".[216] At the 2015CMT Music Awards, Underwood won three awards, including Video of the Year for "Something in the Water".[217] She won her ninthAmerican Music Award in 2015, winning Favorite Female Country Artist.[218]
Underwood's first greatest hits compilation,Greatest Hits: Decade#1, was released on December 9.[219][220] The album's lead single, "Something in the Water", became acrossover success. It reached number one on theHot Country Songs chart, becoming her fourteenth number-one hit on that chart and her second in 2014.[221] With fourteen number ones, she holds the record as the female country artist with the most number-one hits on the Hot Country Songs chart in the Nielsen SoundScan era (since 1991) in theGuinness Book.[222] The song topped theHot Christian Songs chart and has held the top spot for multiple consecutive weeks.[221] It debuted at number 24 on theHot 100 chart as well.[223] The song set and broke multipleairplay records on Country radio in its first week. In February 2015, "Little Toy Guns" was released as the second single from the compilation. The track peaked at number six on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, number two on the Country Airplay Chart and number 47 on the Hot 100. The song was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards. The compilation debuted with the biggest sales debut for a hits collection in any genre of music in more than six years and the biggest first-week sales for a female hits album in any genre in over nine years.[224][225] She earned $10 million between 2013 and 2014, topping Forbes' list of the top-earningAmerican Idols,[226] and $8 million between 2014 and 2015.[227]
Underwood returned to the studio to finish her fifth studio album in the spring of 2015.[228][229]Storyteller was released on October 23, 2015, and the lead single, "Smoke Break" was released to radio in August.[230]Storyteller debuted at number two on theBillboard 200, making Underwood the first country artist to have their first five studio albums debut at numbers one or two on theBillboard 200.[231] In addition, the album debuted at number one on theTop Country Albums chart, earning Underwood another record as the first artist to score six consecutive number-one albums on that chart.[232]Storyteller has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA.[42]
The album's second single, "Heartbeat", became Underwood's 14th leader on theCountry Airplay while the album's third single, "Church Bells", became her 15th career number one on theCountry Airplay chart, both extending her record for the most number one's among women in the history of the chart.[233] Underwood became the first female artist to score two number one hits on the Country Airplay chart in 2016.[234] A fourth single, "Dirty Laundry", was released from the album in August 2016, eventually peaking at number two on the Billboard Country Airplay.[235]Billboard ranked Underwood as the top female country artist for the year, and fifth overall.[236]
Underwood launched theStoryteller Tour, her fifth headlining tour, in January 2016, with a second half picking up in August. The tour played to over 1 million fans, completing 92 shows across 7 countries while being named byBillboard the top country tour for the first half of the year.[237] She earned $26 million between 2015 and 2016, ranking among Forbes' list of highest-paid country music acts,[238] and $20 million between 2016 and 2017, ranking on Billboard's Top 50 Money Makers list.[239]
In June 2016, Underwood received three nominations from the CMT Music Awards, taking home two honors for "Smoke Break", expanding herCMT Music Award total to 15—the most among all acts.[240] She was named Female Vocalist of the Year by theAmerican Country Countdown Awards in 2016,[241] and also received theCMA Chairman's Award.[242] In July, she picked up her fifthTeen Choice Award, forChoice Country Artist.[243] Underwood also received two nominations from the Billboard Music Awards, including Top Country Artist.[244] In September 2016, Underwood was the first artist to receive theACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award, for her continuous work with charities.[245]
On October 20, 2016, Underwood was honored as one ofCMT Artists of the Year, marking her third year to receive the award.[246] Underwood received four nominations for the50th Annual Country Music Association Awards, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year.[247] She walked away with Female Vocalist of the Year, her fourth time to win the award.[248] She further received three nominations for the 2016American Music Awards, including the top prize for Artist of the Year.[249] She wonFavorite Female Country Artist for the fourth time and Favorite Country Album (forStoryteller) for the fifth time, expanding her record as the only artist to win the award for all albums released.[250]
Underwood was one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You" celebrating 50 years of theCMA Awards.[251] The single debuted at number one on Billboard'sHot Country Songs.[252] In December 2016, she joinedKeith Urban for a series of concerts in Australia and New Zealand.[253]
In January 2017, she received her ninthPeople's Choice award, winning Favorite Female Country Artist.[254] Underwood received one nomination –Best Country Solo Performance – for her single "Church Bells" for the59th Annual Grammy Awards.[255] She andKeith Urban performed their new single, "The Fighter", at the Grammy ceremony.[256] Their joint single peaked in the top two of theHot Country Songs and top twenty of theadult contemporary chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.[257]
She received two nominations for the 52nd annualAcademy of Country Music Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.[258] She scored three more nominations for the 2017CMT Music Awards in June, including Video of the Year for "Church Bells".[259] She won Female Video of the year, extending her record for most wins in the show's history.[260] Underwood scored two nominations for the 2017 Teen Choice awards, including Choice Country Artist,which she won for a third consecutive year.[261] She received one nomination from the 45th annualAmerican Music Awards in theFavorite Female Artist – Country category, which she won for the fourth year in a row, bringing her total to twelve American Music awards.
In January 2017, Underwood took time off at the beginning of the year to spend time with family, and would then, possibly, begin to write for her next album.[262][263] In March 2017, Underwood signed withUniversal Music Group'sCapitol Records Nashville after being with Arista Nashville for nearly twelve years.[264]Madame Tussauds unveiled a new figure of Underwood when the Nashville location opened in April 2017.[265]Matthew West collaborated with Underwood, who performed background vocals on the song "Something Greater" from his album,All In (2017).[266] Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the CMA Awards in November, marking their 10th consecutive year as hosts.[267] Underwood again received a nomination in the Female Vocalist category, her twelfth nomination to date.[268] She performed "Softly and Tenderly" as part of a tribute to the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival shooting, and the performance received widespread acclaim.[269]
Underwood released her second concert experience, The Storyteller Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden, on November 17.[270][271] A few days after the51st Annual Country Music Association Awards, Underwood sustained injuries in a fall at home that resulted in a broken wrist and several facial stitches. Underwood did not make any public appearances for several months following the incident.[272]
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In January 2018, Underwood released "The Champion", a promotional duet single featuringLudacris forSuper Bowl LII. "The Champion" is Underwood's first under the pop genre. The song debuted at number 47 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart, powered by its launch at number three on the Digital Song Sales chart with 61,000 downloads.[273] Underwood met songwriter/producerDavid Garcia in 2017, with whom she began co-producing her new album.[274] Underwood returned to the stage for the first time since her accident and debuted her new single "Cry Pretty" at the 53rd AnnualACM Awards on April 15, where she received two nominations; she won the award for Vocal Event of the Year for "The Fighter" with Keith Urban.[275] On May 11, she celebrated a decade of being anOpry member.[276] On May 13, Underwood returned toAmerican Idol, now rebooted onABC, to mentor the top five of the season sixteen contestants. She performed "Cry Pretty", in addition to "See You Again" with the remaining top five contestants.[277]
On May 8, Underwood received four nominations and one win for the 2018CMT Music Awards. She performed "Cry Pretty" at the ceremony in June and expanded her record as the artist with the most wins in the show's history.[278] She received a nomination forChoice Country Artist and "Cry Pretty" received a nomination for Choice Country Song for the Teen Choice awards, winning Choice Country Artist and expanding her record for most wins in the category.[279][280] On June 22, Underwood was honored with the Hero award from the Radio Disney Music Awards, in recognition of her humanitarian efforts.[281] She andLudacris performed "The Champion" together at the awards ceremony.[282]
Her sixth studio album,Cry Pretty, was released on September 14, 2018.[283] The same week, the album's second single was confirmed to be "Love Wins", with the music video debuting on September 11.[284]Cry Pretty debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, setting several records upon arrival. Underwood is the first woman to hit the top of the Billboard 200 chart with four country albums.Cry Pretty's debut frame of 266,000 units is the biggest week for any album by a woman and a country album in 2018.[285] This was Underwood's seventh consecutive album to debut at number one on the Top Country Albums chart.Cry Pretty's debut week also marked the most first week streams by any female in country music at that time.[286] The album finished 2018 as the best-selling solo female album and the seventh best-selling album overall, with over 401,000 copies sold.[287] In February 2020, the album was certified Platinum.
Underwood performed "Spinning Bottles", a song from the album, at the 46th annualAmerican Music Awards on October 9, also winning one award for Favorite Female Country Artist.[288][289]Brad Paisley and Underwood hosted the52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 14, 2018, where she picked up her fifth win as the CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year.[290][291] The same month, Underwood announced she would kick off theCry Pretty Tour 360 in May 2019.[292] As well as five other dates in United Kingdom arenas, it was announced that the leg of the tour would include a performance at theGlastonbury Festival.[293]
Underwood received one nomination – Female Artist of the Year – for the 54thAcademy of Country Music Awards taking place April 7.[294] She performed withChrissy Metz,Lauren Alaina,Mickey Guyton, andMaddie & Tae.[295] She gave the debut performance of "Southbound", the official third single from theCry Pretty album, during the show.[296] Underwood further received two more nominations for theBillboard Music Awards, includingTop Country Album forCry Pretty and Top Female Country Artist, winning the latter, bringing her total career wins to 11.[297] For the 2019CMT Music Awards, Underwood's video for "Cry Pretty" received a nomination for Video of the Year and "Love Wins" received a nomination for Female Video of the Year, with the awards airing live June 5.[298] Underwood performed "Southbound" atCentennial Park during the show's broadcast; the performance was free and open to the public.[299] "Cry Pretty" won Video of the Year and "Love Wins" won Female Video, extending Underwood's lead as the most awarded artist in the show's history, and giving her a total of 20 CMT awards.[300] On June 8, the official music video for "Southbound" premiered on Underwood's YouTube channel.[301]
On May 19, 2019, she returned toAmerican Idol to perform "Southbound" during the season's finale episode.[302] On June 7, Underwood headlined the second day of CMA Music Fest in Nashville, whereJoan Jett made a surprise appearance on stage.[303] In July 2019, she performed at theGlastonbury Festival, as part of her Cry Pretty 360 Tour.[304] Underwood co-hosted the53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards for her twelfth year, this time withDolly Parton andReba McEntire.[305] She received her second nomination for Entertainer of the Year and debuted "Drinking Alone", the final single from theCry Pretty album. Following the ceremony, Underwood announced she would be stepping down as co-host for the awards.[306] On November 24, Underwood picked up two moreAmerican Music Awards, extending her record as the most-awarded artist in theFavorite Album – Country category withCry Pretty.[307] In December 2019, Underwood was one of several artists who attended theKennedy Center Honors; she paid tribute to recipientLinda Ronstadt by performing two of her songs.[308]
Underwood released her debut book,Find Your Path, on March 3, 2020,[309] went on a book tour,[310] and appeared on television shows, includingRachael Ray.[311] She received two nominations for the55th Academy of Country Music Awards; Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year.[312] She later won the award for Entertainer of the Year; the win made her the most-awarded woman in that category. Underwood tied withThomas Rhett, making it the first time in history two artists would share the award.[313] For the54th Annual Country Music Association Awards, Underwood received two nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, her third year being nominated in the category.[314] Underwood extended her own record for most wins in CMT Music Awards history; the video for "Drinking Alone" earned two awards including Video of the Year when the ceremony aired live on October 21.[315] In August 2020, Underwood hosted her own Apple Radio Show, entitledXO Radio.[316]
Her first Christmas album,My Gift, was released on September 25, 2020.[317][318][319] It was her record-setting eighth consecutive career-opening number-one album on theBillboardTop Country Albums chart, also debuting at number-one on theTop Christian Albums andTop Holiday Albums, and at number eight on theBillboard 200.[320] The album later peaked at number five on theBillboard 200.[321] On December 3, 2020, Underwood starred in and executive produced aholiday special airing onHBO Max, performing all of the songs fromMy Gift.[322] The album earned Underwood two number one songs atop theHot Christian Songs chart and was the top-selling new Christmas album of the year.[323] On September 24, 2021, a special edition of the album was released, containing three additional tracks, including a version of "Favorite Time of Year".[324]
On March 26, Underwood releasedMy Savior, agospel cover album.[325][326]My Savior debuted at number one on both ofBillboard'sTop Country Albums andTop Christian Albums charts, and number four on theBillboard 200, marking her record-setting ninth consecutive number one.[327][328] Underwood performed a virtual concert onEaster Sunday from theRyman Auditorium, with over $100,000 raised for the charitySave the Children.[329] In December 2020, Spanish singerDavid Bisbal released his duet with Underwood, "Tears of Gold", featuring a music video that was filmed in Los Angeles.[330] At theLatin American Music Awards of 2021 on April 15, Underwood joined Bisbal for the debut televised performance of the song inSunrise, Florida; the pair were nominated for Favorite Video of the Year.[331][332]
At the56th Academy of Country Music Awards, Underwood received one nomination for Video of the Year, "Hallelujah" featuringJohn Legend; she performed a medley of songs fromMy Savior, with a guest appearance byCeCe Winans.[333] The video for "Hallelujah" also received two nominations and one win at the2021 CMT Music Awards.[334] Underwood received four nominations at the2021 Billboard Music Awards, and one win,Top Christian Album, forMy Gift.[335]Needtobreathe released "I Wanna Remember", a duet track with Underwood, and its music video in May.[336] They gave the debut performance of the song at the CMT Music Awards in June.[337] Underwood'sLas Vegas residency,Reflection, launched in December 2021, in collaboration withResorts World Las Vegas.[338] Due to high demand, Underwood added six more shows, extending the residency through April 2022.[339]
Underwood collaborated withDan + Shay on a cover of "Only Us" for the soundtrack album of the2021 film adaptation ofDear Evan Hansen that was released as a single on September 3, 2021.[340] She also appeared on the duet single "If I Didn't Love You", withJason Aldean, the third collaboration of the year for Underwood. The single spent two weeks at number one atop theBillboard's Country Airplay chart.[341] The pair debuted the live televised performance of the song at the55th Annual Country Music Association Awards, where Underwood received a nomination forEntertainer of the Year.[342] On November 21, Underwood scored two more wins at theAmerican Music Awards of 2021, making her one of the most-awarded artists in the show's history.[343] She and Aldean again performed their duet at the ceremony.[344] In July, Underwood was the closing headliner at Nashville'sCMA Summer Jam, which included a performance withDwight Yoakam,[345] with the event airing in September in place of the canceledCMA Music Fest.
In November, Underwood released "Stretchy Pants", a comedic holiday single benefitting the Nashville-based organization,The Store, which provides free shopping for qualifying families.[346] She was a headliner forCMA Country Christmas airing on November 29.[347][348][349] On November 25, she performed "Favorite Time of Year" live fromNashville, Tennessee, as part ofMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[350] On December 1, Underwood was one of several performers for the annualRockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. She performed two songs, including "Let There Be Peace" from theMy Gift album.[351][352] Underwood received two Grammy nominations for the64th Annual Grammy Awards, winning one forBest Gospel Album forMy Savior when they aired in April 2022.[353]
On March 7, Underwood won one ACM award, Single of the Year, for her collaboration withJason Aldean, "If I Didn't Love You", also joining him to perform the song.[354]
On March 18, 2022, Underwood released the single, "Ghost Story";[355] the song served as lead single from Underwood's ninth studio album,Denim & Rhinestones, which was released on June 10, 2022.[356][357] The single peaked within the top ten on theCountry Airplay.[358] On April 3, 2022, Underwood won the Grammy Award forBest Roots Gospel Album. When speaking to the press a tearful Underwood expressed "I feel it's one of the most important bodies of work I've wanted to do literally my whole career, and I got to."[359] She gave the debut performance of "Ghost Story" at the ceremony.[360] At the2022 CMT Music Awards, Underwood won in two categories, including Video of the Year, for "If I Didn't Love You" with Jason Aldean, continuing her run as the most-awarded artist in the show's history.[361] She also gave the second live performance of "Ghost Story", while being suspended several feet above the stage.[362] On April 30, Underwood headlined atStagecoach Festival and performed with Axl Rose.[363] She went onDenim & Rhinestones Tour with opening guestJimmie Allen.[364]
Underwood was scheduled to perform on thetwentieth season finale ofAmerican Idol on May 22; however, she was forced to cancel the appearance due to COVID-19 exposure within the band.[365][366] On June 11, she headlined for day three ofCMA Music Fest.[367]Denim & Rhinestones opened at number ten onBillboard'sTop Album Sales chart, moving 31,000 units and marking Underwood's tenth consecutive top ten album.[368] It debuted at number two onBillboard'sTop Country Albums, marking ten top three albums from her career. At the end of June, Underwood made a surprise appearance at aGuns N' Roses concert inLondon, where she had been promoting her album.[369] On July 15, Apple Music released a Sessions EP featuring Underwood performing three songs, including "Ghost Story", "Blown Away" and "Mama, I'm Coming Home";[370] Underwood stated, "I have always been an Ozzy Osbourne fan and 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' is one of my all-time favorite songs."[371] On July 30, Underwood took part in a tribute show forBarbara Mandrell, performing "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool".[372]
Underwood received three nominations for theCountry Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, airing November 9, 2022.[373] On September 16, Underwood joined several artists to honorVince Gill for aCMT Giants 90 minute special.[374][375] The second single from the album, "Hate My Heart", was released to radio on October 31.[376] The music video premiered November 2.[377] She received two nominations for theAmerican Music Awards of 2022, that aired on November 20.[378][379] She won the award for The Country Artist at the48th People's Choice Awards, which aired December 6.[380] On March 10, 2023, Underwood released a new single, "Out of That Truck".[381] The single was sent to country radio in June.[382] Underwood received two nominations and was announced to perform for the CMT Music Awards, airing April 2.[383] WhenGuns N' Roses announced their 2023 North American tour, Underwood was announced as the opening act for three dates, including one show in Nashville.[384]
On June 7, Underwood shared a snippet of a new song, "Take Me Out", included on the deluxe edition of theDenim & Rhinestones album, which was released in September.[385][386] On June 9, Underwood launched her ownSirius XM channel,Carrie's Country, which features multiple genres, includingclassic rock and the latest in country, as well as personal insight from Underwood on her career.[387] She added 18 more dates for her Vegas residency,Reflection, through August 2024.[388] In July 2024, it was announced she had extended her residency,[389] and would replaceKaty Perry as judge onAmerican Idol in 2025, respectively.[390][391]
On August 2, Underwood released a duet with American rock bandPapa Roach, "Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)", that was originally featured on their albumEgo Trip. The charity single was released in collaboration with theAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention for suicide awareness.[392][393] Underwood was featured on the duet "I'm Gonna Love You" withCody Johnson, released to country radio in September 2024. The single opened at number one onBillboard's Digital Songs sales chart and peaked within the top ten of bothBillboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs.[394]
In January 2025, Underwood performed "America the Beautiful" at thesecond inauguration of U.S. PresidentDonald Trump.[395][396] She performeda cappella, following complications with the planned musical accompaniment.[397]ABC News affiliateKABC-TV called the performance a "unifying moment".[398] Following "intense backlash" from fans and mixed reaction from media,[399][400] Underwood called her decision to perform at the inauguration an answer to a call "at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."[401] In August of that year, it was announced that Underwood would return as a judge onAmerican Idol for another season.[402]
Underwood has been highly acclaimed for her vocals.David Wild ofRolling Stone has praised her voice, saying that "she can hit any note".[403] Her vocal range has been described as "enormous", with critics highlighting her ability to hold notes for an extended period of time.Billboard describes her vocal ability as "freakish".[404] Concert critics have pointed out that "she'll let loose with an improbably long note that runs through more octaves than you knew existed".[405] When asked if it ever becomes difficult to belt at such high intensity during her 90–120 minute live shows, Underwood responded, "I'm too proud to drop keys. I won't do it. Maybe the older I get, I'll write some songs in lower keys so it'll be easier. I've always been pretty good as far as stamina onstage. Being able to work out and stay physically strong is important ... So far, it's worked for me. I'm just blessed at being able to be loud for long periods of time."[406] Fellow country music singerRandy Travis paid high praises to Underwood's voice when asked about her cover of his 1988 hit song "I Told You So", saying that "her voice is so much better suited to the song. I have abaritone voice, and hersoprano voice really fits well with the range of the song. Her ability to get into the upper register of her voice and just hold those high notes is great."[407] Her voice has also been praised as "versatile".[408] She has performed live versions ofgospel songs like "How Great Thou Art", in whichYahoo! critics noticed her ability to move an audience with a "powerful performance",[127] and rock songs likeGuns N' Roses' "Paradise City", withRolling Stone critics saying it was a "standout performance", adding that "when the song reached its crescendo, the singer went right over the edge with it, twirling like a tornado and tossing in more than a few banshee wails" and even saying "if the original members of Guns N' Roses ever wanted to reunite withoutAxl Rose, they might be wise to ask Carrie Underwood to fill his bandana".[409] In 2023,Rolling Stone ranked Underwood at number 158 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[410]
Underwood has credited "music as a whole" as her major influence, since she "grew up listening tomusic" and "there were songs, different kind of songs coming at me from everywhere".[411] She has mentionedpop/rock acts likeQueen,Guns N' Roses,George Michael,the Rolling Stones,My Chemical Romance andPapa Roach as influences.[412][413][414] In a 2014 interview Underwood spoke on the late Queen frontman, "I've always been a huge fan and lover ofFreddie Mercury. I would listen to him when I was a kid. He could do so many amazing things with his voice. People like that — who had incredible voices — I was always drawn to."[413] In July 2022 she joined Guns N' Roses on stage during their concert atTottenham Hotspur Stadium in London where she performed with another of her idols, band frontmanAxl Rose, saying after, "I've covered enough Guns N' Roses stuff, and it was people like him who taught me how to sing".[413] During the audition phase ofAmerican Idol in 2025, a contestant sangnu metal songs such asKorn's "Freak on a Leash" andDrowning Pool's "Bodies".[415][416] Underwood expressed her excitement and revealed that she listened to a lot of nu metal while in high school.[417]
Amongcountry artists, she has listedGeorge Strait,[418]Dolly Parton,[419]Randy Travis,[420]Martina McBride,Reba McEntire, andGarth Brooks as influences.[421] Although never publicly mentioningFaith Hill andShania Twain as musical influences, critics have linked Underwood's musical style to those of Hill and Twain.[422] Her music is generally country andcountry pop with a rock influence that resemblesKelly Clarkson, as noticed byRolling Stone.[423][424] She has also released songs with aChristian music influence.[425][426]
Since her debut in 2005, Underwood has been praised by both veteran artists and music critics. In 2014,Rolling Stone described Underwood as "the female vocalist of her generation of any genre",[427] while a 2012 issue ofBillboard magazine referred to her asCountry Music's reigning Queen.[428]
Time featured her in its 2014 list of the100 most influential people in the world, in whichBrad Paisley wrote "not only has she earned her place, she's also raised the bar: she's a prolific songwriter, atrendsetter and anOpry member"; Paisley further called her "the best singer in any format of music."[211][429] In 2015, Grady Smith ofThe Guardian praised her, saying "Carrie Underwood has emerged as the leader of country music".[430]Vince Gill has also stated: "The possibility of Carrie's longevity is through the roof. There are fine singers, and there are gifted, great singers, and she's one of those. Her vocal skills are off the hook".[429] She has further received public commendation fromStevie Nicks,[431]Melissa Etheridge,[403]Steven Tyler,[432]Tony Bennett,[433]Dolly Parton,[419][434][435] andLoretta Lynn.[436]David Wild ofRolling Stone has stated that "Carrie Underwood is the greatest thing thatAmerican Idol ever gave us".[403] She was inducted into theOklahoma Hall of Fame in 2017,[437] and theHollywood Walk of Fame in 2018, for her achievements in music.[438]
Underwood has influenced pop girl groupFifth Harmony,[439] singerMollie King of British pop girl groupThe Saturdays,[440] singerKelsea Ballerini,[441][442]The Voice winnerDanielle Bradbery,[443]American Idol runner-upLauren Alaina,[444] and singer and actressLucy Hale.[445]
The most awarded country artist of all time,[446] Underwood has been the recipient of eightGrammy Awards,[215] twelveBillboard Music Awards,[447] sixteenAcademy of Country Music Awards,[448] seventeenAmerican Music Awards,[449] nineCountry Music Association Awards,[450] sevenTeen Choice Awards, fiveCMT Artists of the Year awards,[451] and twenty-threeCMT Music Awards, among others.[452] As a songwriter, she has also received aGolden Globe Award nomination[453] and won tenBMI Awards.[454][455] Underwood was inducted into theGrand Ole Opry in 2008,[456] for her many accomplishments in country music, and into theOklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2009.[457] She was inducted into theOklahoma Hall of Fame in 2017, the highest honor one can receive from the state.[458] In September 2020, Underwood won her third Entertainer of the year award from theAcademy of Country Music, making her the first woman in history to do so.[459]
In December 2009, she was awarded the Harmony Award from theNashville Symphony Orchestra for her achievements in music across many genres.[460] In 2013, she received the Artist Achievement Award at the 38th Annual New York Honors Gala held by theT.J. Martell Foundation.[461] In 2014, she was honored by theCountry Radio Broadcasters' Board of Directors with the CRB Artist Humanitarian Award at the 2014Country Radio Seminar.[462]
She is regarded as one of the most successful artists in any musical genre.[463][464] TheRecording Industry Association of America recognizes Underwood as the overallhighest-certified female country artist of all time, with over 95 million certifiedunits sold in the US alone, including 22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles, across solo titles and collaborations.[465] Further on the RIAA Top Artists (Digital Songs) ranking, she is also the highest-certified female country artist, boasting 63 million certified song units across her solo catalog.[466][467] Underwood was also the highest-certified country album artist to debut in the 21st century (a record later surpassed).[468] She is the best-selling artist of theAmerican Idol franchise, with a 2015Billboard article calling her the ultimateIdol success story.[469][470]Forbes declared Underwood the most successful American Idol winner of all time in 2017, with more albums sold and more revenue generated than any of the other contestants across the show's initial 15 seasons.[471]
Underwood experienced quick commercial success in the industry, with her debut album,Some Hearts, becoming the fastest-selling debut country album in the history of theSoundScan era,[34][35] the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history,[36] the best-selling Country album of the last 14 years,[37] and the best-selling album by an American Idol alum in the US.[38] With her debut single, "Inside Your Heaven", she also brokeBillboard chart history as the first country music artist ever to debut at number one on theHot 100 and the song became the first song from a country artist to go to number one on the Hot 100 since country groupLonestar's "Amazed" did so in 2000.[25] "Inside Your Heaven" is the only single by a solo country artist in the 2000 decade to reach number one on the Hot 100 chart.[26]
With the singles from her second album,Carnival Ride, she became the first female country artist sinceShania Twain in 1995 to have four tracks from one album top theBillboard Hot Country Songs.[75] In 2010, with the singles of her third album,Play On, she achieved ten career number-one singles on the Hot Country Songs, an achievement for which she was named by theGuinness Book of World Records as the female country artist with the most number-one hits on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart (since accurate sales records were introduced in the US in 1991), tied withReba McEntire.[222] She therefore became the only female artist in country music history to have eleven consecutive top two singles on that chart. At that time, she had twelve official country singles, including ten number-ones. She also became the first woman to score ten number-ones on such a chart sinceRosanne Cash in 1988.[472] She then broke and expanded herGuinness Book record by scoring four more number-one singles on the Hot Country Songs between 2011 and 2014, for a total of fourteen number-ones.[221] She is also the woman with the most number-ones in the history of theBillboardCountry Airplay chart, having had 15 leaders.[233] In October 2021, she scored her 16th number one on the Country Airplay, with the joint single "If I Didn't Love You".[473]
Underwood's first twenty-seven singles promoted to country radio all reached the top ten of both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, the longest streak of top ten singles by a country artist from the start of a career.[474] Since May 2011, Underwood is the BiggestAmerican Idol Earner, with tour revenues and records sales combined.[475] She is the fourth biggest album seller of the past 10 years in the United States.[476] With her sixth studio album opening at number one on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, Underwood broke several records: she was the first woman to launch four country albums to number one there, as well as the first female country artist to topBillboard's The Artist 100 chart.[477] In September 2018, Underwood received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for her numerous achievements in music.[478]
After taking home over 20 awards from 2006 to 2019, Underwood became the most awarded artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards.[479] As of October 2018, she has a net worth estimated at US$200 million.[480] She has been the top-earningAmerican Idol alum of all time since 2014.[425][481] At the turn of the 2010 decade,Billboard named Underwood the top female country artist and seventh overall country artist.[482] The magazine later ranked her at number 13 on its 2025 "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.[483] In 2022,Pollstar said she was among the 15 all-genre top female touring artists of the past four decades, having sold over 4.3 million concert tickets and grossed around $265 million with her headlined tours.[484] WithCry Pretty, Underwood became the first and only artist inAmerican Music Award history to have all six consecutive albums win the Favorite Album award.[485]
Underwood has had many endorsements throughout her career. She has signed multimillion-dollar deals withSkechers,Target,Nintendo,Olay,Nicole by OPI,Hershey's,Almay andDick's Sporting Goods. In 2005, Underwood appeared in aSkechers global advertising campaign. In 2007, Underwood appeared in Target advertisements promoting her albumCarnival Ride. The limited edition of the album which included a behind the scenes DVD was exclusively sold at Target.[486] In 2008, Underwood worked withNintendo for the launch of theirNintendo DS appearing in various television commercials.[487] That same year, Underwood became the spokesperson forVitamin Water starring in television and magazine advertisements. Underwood also hosts a guide to a healthy lifestyle on Vitamin Water's website.[488] In 2010, Underwood became the spokesperson for thePedigree adoption drive. In 2011, she became the first celebrity brand ambassador forOlay skin care. Underwood has appeared in the global advertising campaign for their facial wash.[489]
In January 2014, Underwood signed a deal with Nicole by OPI to launch 14 new nail lacquers.[490] In the same month, Underwood had signed a deal to serve asAlmay's global brand ambassador, where she would appear in TV and print advertisements for the brand later that month.[491]
In March 2015, Underwood released a fitness clothing line named CALIA by Carrie Underwood. In collaboration withDick's Sporting Goods, the line features clothing that is intended to be suitable for both active and casual wear.[492]
Underwood established the Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation in 2009. The foundation helps with general causes, needs and services in the area of Checotah to directly impact the community.[493] "My hometown is extremely supportive of me and I feel blessed to be able to create something as a way of giving back; to say thank you", said Underwood.[494][495]
Underwood is a supporter of arts education. In 2009, Underwood's foundation "Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation" and theAcademy of Country Music foundation "ACM Lifting Lives" partnered to give students in Checotah, Oklahoma a gift valued at more than $120,000 in new instruments for their music programs.[496] Underwood held a surprise concert at a local high school and then unveiled the gifts. The instruments will be shared throughout the Checotah school district and were ordered through Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs at a special philanthropic price.[496] During the 2011 holiday season, her foundation donated $350,000 to the Checotah schools.[497]
Underwood launched theAcademy of Country Music Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund in 2010. The Fund specifically benefits victims of the Tennessee floods of early 2010 and it was kicked off with grants that Underwood received from ACM as Entertainer of the Year. She also teamed up with Brooks and Dunn to support the new Fund by recording aPublic Service Announcement (PSA).[498]
Underwood is involved with several organizations that benefit children. In January 2010, she partnered with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids visiting theSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[499] In February 2011, Underwood donated $140,125 toSave the Children.[500] This charitable initiative was inspired by the "36 cents" written in the lyrics of Underwood's album track "Change" on her albumPlay On, which addresses how even the smallest bit of spare change that one might have can add up to make a difference and help "change" the world.[500]
Underwood is a supporter of theUnited Service Organization, Clothes Off Our Back, andHabitat For Humanity.[501] To benefitcancer research, in August 2008, Underwood joinedBeyoncé,Mariah Carey,Mary J. Blige,Miley Cyrus, and other female artists to record the song "Just Stand Up!" The proceeds benefitedStand Up to Cancer (SU2C). As a result of their fund raising efforts, the SU2C scientific advisory committee, overseen by theAmerican Association for Cancer Research was able to award $73.6 million towards novel, groundbreaking research.[502] The song peaked at number 11 onBillboard's Hot 100 Songs.
In 2012, Underwood donated $1 of every ticket sold on the North American leg of theBlown Away Tour to theCanadian andAmerican Red Cross.[503] On May 24, 2013, Underwood donated $1 million in proceeds from her recent Blown Away Tour to the Red Cross for relief efforts in response to the Oklahoma tornado.[504]
Underwood is a supporter of animal welfare. Underwood is a supporter of theHumane Society of the United States (HSUS) and has done several public service announcements for the organization.[505] Underwood has also done a "Protect Your Pets"public service announcement forDo Something.[506] In 2010, Underwood became the official spokesperson for thePedigree adoption drive.[507] On March 29, 2010, Underwood and Pedigree partnered to donate $10,000 to a New York City Animal Shelter. In April 2011, Underwood opened the Happy Paws Animal Shelter in her hometown.[508] On January 10, 2012, it was reported but had previously been blogged by Underwood herself on her official fan-site, that the singer rescued an abandoned dog along a highway.[509]
Underwood and her husband made a video for the "Do It for Daron" campaign urging young people to stop bullying.[510]
In July 2012, she publicly supported same-sex marriage, emphasizing that her evangelical church,GracePointe Church in Nashville, wasgay-friendly.[511] She told the British newspaperThe Independent, "As a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love and want to marry", she said. "I can't imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love." Underwood went on to say, "Our church is gay-friendly. Above all, God wanted us to love others. It's not about setting rules, or [saying] 'everyone has to be like me'. No. We're all different. That's what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It's not up to me to judge anybody."[512]
Underwood appeared onHow I Met Your Mother in March 2010. She played the role of Tiffany, a medical sales rep that forms a relationship with Ted.[513] This was the second highest rated episode for season five, gaining 10.48 million viewers. Brian Zoromski of IGN gave the episode 8.5 out of 10. He was surprised how well Underwood performed in her first acting role.[514] A few months earlier, she appeared in an episode of thePBSchildren's television seriesSesame Street, performing avoice-over as "Carrie Underworm" a worm who sings a song about worm pride before an auto race Sesame Street is holding.[515]
Underwood made her film debut inSoul Surfer in April 2011. She played Sarah Hill, the church youth leader who helpedBethany Hamilton overcome the obstacles she faced after the shark attack.[516]
Underwood playedMaria von Trapp in NBC'sThe Sound of Music Live!.[517] The three-hour telecast aired on December 5, 2013,[518] partnering NBC with the producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "To have a star like Carrie Underwood perform Maria inThe Sound of Music, and in such a very special and unique production, is exciting beyond words", said Ted Chapin, president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. "Part of the magic ofRodgers and Hammerstein is how their work has adapted itself to so many different incarnations, and I am certain the fresh spirit Underwood brings to her own songs will transition into exciting versions of the classic songs we all know and love."[519] Underwood played herself during thefourth season ofCobra Kai.[520]
Underwood released her debut book,Find Your Path, on March 3, 2020, published by Dey Street Books.[309] It became aNew York Times best seller, debuting at number two on the How-To and Miscellaneous list.[521] This book contains insight into Carrie's lifestyle and aims to help people find their lifestyle. This book also contains some of her favorite recipes.[522]
Underwood was first linked toNHL playerMike Fisher after they met at one of her concerts in late 2008, and they became engaged in December 2009.[523] According toThe Canadian Press, Fisher proposed inOttawa on December 20, 2009.[524] Underwood's engagement ring features a yellow diamond and was valued at $150,000.[525] On July 10, 2010, Underwood and Fisher wed at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge inGreensboro, Georgia, with more than 250 people in attendance.[526][527] The couple's first son was born on February 27, 2015.[528] Their second son was born on January 21, 2019.[529][530][531]
Between the births of her two sons, Underwood had three miscarriages. In 2018, she toldCBS News that this was the basis for her song "Cry Pretty", as "I would have these horrible things going on in my life, and then have to go smile and, like, do some interviews or, like, do a photo shoot or something".[532]
On February 11, 2011, an Ottawa radio station, 105.3KISS-FM, stated that it would ban the playing of Underwood's music because her husband, Mike Fisher, was traded to theNashville Predators the day before.[533] Due to Underwood's fans' threats on Facebook to never tune into the radio station, the station later apologized for its actions, saying that its statements were meant to be taken as a joke, as it does not play Underwood's country songs anyway, and it was its "tongue-in-cheek way of wishing Fisher the best of luck in Nashville."[534] Fisher later criticized the station saying "obviously Carrie had nothing to do with the move or the trade or anything so to imply something like that was just wrong", and noting that both he and Underwood were disappointed in the negativity the radio station created.[535] Underwood was selected byThe Hockey News on its annual list of the 100 People of Power and Influence in Ice Hockey. For the 2012 list, Underwood ranked at number 85.[536]
In 2010, Underwood and Fisher bought a mansion on eleven acres near Ottawa in the luxurious Spruce Ridge district. The couple later put the mansion up for sale at an asking price of $2.2 million.[537] In 2012, the couple bought a cottage outside of Nashville. They use the cottage for weekend getaways.Oprah Winfrey toured the cottage and interviewed Underwood and Fisher there for their appearance onOprah's Next Chapter.[538]
Underwood is a practicingEvangelical Christian,[539][540] and avegetarian.[541] She stopped eating meat at the age of 13 because she could not stand the thought of eating one of her own animals. She was voted "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" byPETA[542] in 2007 for the second time, the first being in 2005 alongsideColdplay frontmanChris Martin, who was himself a vegetarian at the time.[542][543]
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In a 2007 interview with PETA, Underwood stated, "Ever since I was little I loved animals ... If you told me I could never sing again, I'd say that was horrible, but it's not my life. If you told me I could never be around animals again, I would just die."[544][545] In April 2022, Underwood shared the loss of her dog, Ace, whom she had adopted in 2007.[546] Ten months later, Underwood shared she had adopted a new dog, named Charlie, who she met backstage while touring inCharlotte, North Carolina.[547]
In April 2013, Underwood spoke out with disapproval regarding the Tennessee "Ag Gag bill".[548] The bill makes it a crime to videotape animal cruelty or abuse and then fail to turn in the evidence to authorities within 48 hours. This is to stop animal rights activists from accumulating enough documentation to prove that animal cruelty is routine in big agribusiness.[549] Underwood tweeted, "Shame on TN lawmakers for passing the Ag Gag bill. If Gov.Bill Haslam signs this, he needs to expect me at his front door. Who's with me?"[550] State Rep.Andy Holt responded to her tweet, saying, "I would say that Carrie Underwood will stick to singing, I'll stick to lawmaking."[551] Underwood later responded via Twitter, "I should stick to singing? Wow...sorry, I'm just a tax-paying citizen concerned for the safety of my family. #NoAgGag".[552] She also tweeted Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, saying "Please don't sign the Ag Gag bill. Think about the welfare of the animals as well as the consumers. I'm begging you..."[553]
Underwood has stated that she has a great interest in sports. She has participated in the annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball tournament for charity for many years. The event takes place inNashville, Tennessee, and benefits research for life-threatening diseases.[554] In 2005, she performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Game 4 of theNBA Finals between theSan Antonio Spurs andDetroit Pistons,[555] and in 2006 at theNBA All-Star Game.[556] She performed athalftime of the 2006Thanksgiving Dayfootball game atTexas Stadium inIrving, Texas, and was friends withDallas CowboysquarterbackTony Romo.[557] She also performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" at theNFC Championship Game between theSeattle Seahawks andCarolina Panthers in 2006,[558] as well as at the 2006 edition ofNASCAR'sCoca-Cola 600,[559] the MLB All Star Game in Pittsburgh, and at Game 3 of the2007 World Series between theBoston Red Sox andColorado Rockies.[560] On February 7, 2010, Underwood performed the National Anthem forSuper Bowl XLIV.[561]
Underwood has performed the opening theme song forNBC Sunday Night Football since 2013.[562] Faith Hill, whom Underwood replaced, later expressed full support for Underwood, congratulating her viaTwitter and stating that it was "an awesome choice" by NBC/SNF and that Underwood "will rock it".[563] Underwood's original song was a modification of her song "Oh, Sunday Night", but was changed to an original song, "Game On", for the2018 NFL season.[citation needed] She sang the National Anthem for theNashville Predators prior to their victory over theChicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs and prior to their victory over theWinnipeg Jets in Game 2 of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.[citation needed]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | American Idol | Contestant | Season four winner |
| 2007, 2008 | Saturday Night Live | Musical guest | Two episodes |
| 2008 | Stand Up to Cancer | Herself | TV special |
| 2008–2019 | Country Music Association Awards | Herself/co-host | AlongsideBrad Paisley;Reba McEntire andDolly Parton in 2019 Also Writer[564] |
| 2009 | Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special | Herself | |
| 2009 | Sesame Street | Carrie Underworm (voice) | "Squirmadega Car Race" (Dec. 28); song: "The Worm Anthem" |
| 2009 | CMT Invitation Only | Herself | Autumn 2009 |
| 2010 | How I Met Your Mother | Tiffany | Episode: "Hooked" |
| 2010 | The Buried Life | Herself | |
| 2010 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Herself | |
| 2011 | Blue Bloods | Herself | Episode: "Mercy" |
| 2011 | Soul Surfer | Sarah Hill | Film debut |
| 2012 | Zendaya: Behind the Scenes | Herself | Documentary |
| 2012 | CMT Crossroads | Herself | WithSteven Tyler[147] |
| 2013–present | NBC Sunday Night Football | Herself | Theme song performer |
| 2013, 2014 | Nashville | Herself | Episodes: "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive", "You're Lookin' at Country" |
| 2013 | The Sound of Music Live! | Maria Rainir/von Trapp | NBC original production |
| 2014 | CMA Country Christmas | Herself | TV special |
| 2016 | Talking Dead | Herself | Discussion ofThe Walking Dead episode "No Way Out" |
| 2016 | Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping | Herself | |
| 2017 | Living Every Day: Luke Bryan | Herself | TV special |
| 2018 | American Idol | Herself | Season 16; opening narration, advising appearance (Carrie Underwood/Mothers' Day Dedications) |
| 2019 | Elvis: All Star Tribute | Herself | TV special |
| 2019 | Live with Kelly and Ryan | Herself | Guest Host |
| 2019 | Dolly Parton: Here She Comes Again! | Herself | TV special |
| 2019 | Brad Paisley Thinks He's Special | Herself | TV special |
| 2019 | Kennedy Center Honors | Herself | TV special (tribute toLinda Ronstadt) |
| 2020 | ACM Presents: Our Country | Herself | TV special |
| 2020 | Mike and Carrie: God & Country | Herself | I Am Second Original Series (4 episodes) |
| 2020 | My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood[565][566] | Herself | HBO Max Special Also executive producer |
| 2021 | Cobra Kai[567] | Herself | Episode: "The Fall" |
| 2024 | Nate Bargatze's Nashville Christmas | Herself | Christmas Special |
| 2024 | Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve | Herself/Performer | New Year's Special |
| 2025 | American Idol | Herself | Judge |
I was also a hospice volunteer and I got that through the sorority. You go and take care of people that are really sick. They don't want to be in the hospital anymore. It's just kind of about making them comfortable.
TheAmerican Idol alum announced the big news on social media on Tuesday, March 3. 'Tiny hands and tiny feet...God has blessed us with an amazing gift! Isaiah Michael Fisher – born on February 27. Welcome to the world, sweet angel!' she captioned the shot of her little one's hand.
Country star Carrie Underwood welcomed her second child on Monday, a baby boy named Jacob. She announced his birth on Instagram Wednesday.
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance 2007–2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance 2013 2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Country Music Association Award for Horizon Award 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year 2006–2008 2016 2018 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Academy of Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year 2007–2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year 2009–2010 2020 | Succeeded by |
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Compilation albums | |
| Video albums | |
| Soundtrack albums | |
| Concert tours | |
| Some Hearts | |
|---|---|
| Carnival Ride | |
| Play On | |
| Blown Away | |
| Greatest Hits: Decade #1 | |
| Storyteller | |
| Cry Pretty | |
| My Gift | |
| Denim & Rhinestones | |
| Collaborative songs | |
| Other songs | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
